Africa RISING in Ethiopia

1st partner research forum meeting

Addis Ababa, 5 October 2012

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Participants

Alan Duncan (ILRI)
Iain Wright (ILRI)
Peter Thorne (ILRI)
Peter Ballantyne (ILRI)
Beth Cullen (ILRI)
Steffen Schulz (CIP)
Kiros Hadgu (ICRAF)
Leonard Oruko (IFPRI - ATA)
Eliud Birachi (CIAT)
Robin Buruchara (CIAT)
Jane Wamatu (ICARDA)
Geletu Bejiga (ICARDA)
Charlotte MacAlister (IWMI)
Simon Langan (IWMI)

Key points from the discussions

1. Review of the draft project implementation plan

• some discussion of the components and the inter-relations among them
• agreement on the overall PIP - yes
• the project needs to look for innovative ways for Africa RISING resources/expertise to work across center activities [joint appointments, shared local staff ...]

2. Finalising project site selection

• This needs to be complete by mid-November 2012
• Leonard will convene a small group - kiros, jane, alan, beth, steffen, eliud, simon - to produce 'the' plan; explaining why/where/when/criteria. Meeting on 10 October 2012 (15:00); then we expect visits to shortlisted sites etc.

3. Development of component plans by multi-partner teams

• Each center to suggest what they can contribute in terms to skills and leadership to each component; to Peter Thorne, ASAP
• Then the groups form to produce the component plans
• Question of who reviews and approves these - the PCC?

Other points

• Time spent can already be charged to the project
• Regarding the year 1 funds, can these be carried over to the next year? Action Peter Thorne
• Some discussion of the need for capital investment - eg vehicles - in project sites.

Proposed financial split across research components (2012-2013):

Research component 1	200,000
Research component 2	200,000
Research component 3	200,000
Research component 4	100,000
Research component 5	350,000
Research component 6	100,000
Opportunity fund	200,000